Career Services Manager

About More Than Words  

More Than Words (MTW) is a social enterprise that empowers youth, ages 16-24, who are in the foster care system, court involved, homeless, or out of school to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business. By working as a team to manage their own retail and online used book business and community space, youth develop the employment skills, leadership, and self-confidence they need to successfully transition to adulthood.  

MTW is an exemplary organization that has continually held up a mirror to identify areas for improvement and accountability; that ethic is part of the culture and fabric of MTW, and it extends to our commitment to ensuring our staff and board reflect the racial and ethnic diversity and lived experiences of the young adults we are privileged to serve. People of color are highly encouraged to apply.  

The Opportunity 

More Than Words (MTW) seeks a Career Services Manager (CSM) who has a strong background in promoting post-secondary and career access for young adults.  This full-time position reports to the Director of Career Services and works in partnership with the youth development and social enterprise teams.   In addition to working directly with youth, the CSM is responsible for representing MTW to the community and for building and enhancing strong partnerships and collaborations with corporations, educational institutions, and other community partners to generate education and employment opportunities for MTW graduates.   

Key Responsibilities of a Career Services Manager include:

Post-Secondary and Employment Access 

• Guide and support youth within the core MTW social enterprise to define and pursue post-secondary education and employment goals, preparing for next steps and MTW graduation.
• Coach youth on essential employment and job readiness skills, including but not limited to job applications, crafting resumes, mastering interviews, appropriate attire, fostering a positive attitude, effective follow-up, and building professional networks.
• Lead personalized work sessions and group workshops geared towards enhancing education, employment prospects, and self-efficacy among participants.
• Coordinate and facilitate exposure opportunities for youth, including visits to post-secondary education institutions and participation in employment fairs, empowering them to explore diverse pathways.
• Develop comprehensive resources and strategies to assist youth in navigating post-secondary admissions, encompassing financial aid options, application guidance, and other preparatory measures.

Graduate Engagement and Support  

• Maintain regular monthly communication with all MTW graduates, offering ongoing assistance and making key referrals to help them progress towards educational and employment goals.
• Implement strategies to foster ongoing engagement among graduates within the MTW community, including organizing networking events, facilitating connections via LinkedIn, and creating avenues for alumni to mentor current participants.
• Foster and sustain relationships with educational and employment partners to monitor the progress of youth, address any challenges that arise, and continually expand opportunities for MTW graduates.

 Partnerships and Collaborations 

• Collaborate with partner organizations, local businesses, and educational institutions to generate diverse opportunities for youth involved in MTW.
• Maintain and update a comprehensive database of educational and employment partners to ensure efficient coordination and communication.
• Work closely with the Director of Career Services to cultivate partnerships with employers and educational institutions, paving the way for seamless transitions for MTW graduates into employment and educational pathways.

  Evaluation and Performance Management 

• Document weekly case notes in the Salesforce database to facilitate accurate and timely tracking of youth information and progress.
• Utilize data analysis to reflect on outcomes and devise strategies to inspire and motivate youth towards achieving their employment and education goals.
• Assist in managing and updating the database of educational and employment partners.

Qualifications 

The ideal candidate should have work experience directly supporting young adults to meet education and employment goals and a demonstrated track record in the workforce development field or in post-secondary education. They should have a passion for coaching youth 1:1, and in groups, to navigate career and college planning, possess strong facilitation skills and be able to inspire and motivate work toward achieving goals.  The ideal candidate must be responsible, flexible, hard-working, ethical, trustworthy, sincere, and willing to support and hold youth accountable for their choices.  

Candidates must be able to work evening hours 1-2 times per month as needed for programming shifts, workshops and/or special events.

Compensation: $52,000 - $57,749; commensurate with skills and experience 

MTW’s Boston site is commuter friendly and is conveniently located near public transportation. 

Background Checks 

More Than Words requires all staff, service members, volunteers, board members and youth over 18 years of age to undergo background checks. More Than Words is a CORI friendly organization and reviews CORIs on a case-by-case basis. 

COVID-19 Protocols 

More Than Words continues to adapt to safety protocols related to COVID-19 as we understand them and as required by all state and federal agencies. For the safety of the community and our staff, we require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 including boosters, when eligible. Additionally, masks are required to always be worn in all MTW sites and vehicles. 

MTW EEO Statement 

MTW is an equal opportunity employer, fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces and encourages applicants of every background. The organization's policy regarding equal employment opportunity means that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, benefits, wage and salary administration, scheduling, disciplinary action, and termination will be made without unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to HR@MTWyouth.org.